Chapter 260
Chapter 260
Lily's POV
I stared at my reflection in the ornate full-length mirror, barely recognizing the woman who gazed back at me. The wedding dress hugged my figure perfectly—or it would have, if not for the small bump that was just beginning to show. Morning sickness hit me in waves, and I closed my eyes, willing the nausea to pass.
"Mommy, Jacob touch!" Eleanor's demanding voice pierced through my moment of quiet suffering. At three years old, my daughter was already asserting her authority over her younger brother.
"Yes, yes—Ellie!" Jacob mimicked, his chubby hands reaching for the flowing train of my dress. At two, he was already showing signs of his grandfather's clever maneuvering.
I turned away from the mirror, trying to muster my energy to deal with my rambunctious children. Eleanor stood with her hands on her hips, her dark curls framing a face set in determination, while Jacob grinned mischievously. They were exhausting and perfect, each in their own way.
"Eleanor, sweetie, be nice to your brother," I said, reaching for a glass of water. "And Jacob, please don't touch mommy's dress."
The door opened, and Nathan walked in, instantly commanding the room's attention—and our children's respect.
"What did I tell you about not listening to mommy?" His voice was stern but gentle.
"Daddy? Bad, bad Ellie!" Jacob pointed accusingly at his sister.
"Daddy!" Eleanor abandoned her rigid stance and launched herself into Nathan's arms. The transformation was immediate—from tiny dictator to daddy's little princess.
Nathan scooped both children up, holding them upside down as they squealed with delight. I couldn't help but smile, even as another wave of nausea washed over me.
"I want the same princess tiara like mommy—daddy!" Eleanor demanded once she was upright again. "I need a gold one."
"I promise!" Nathan answered, his eyes soft as he gazed at our daughter.
I watched them together, my heart full. Nathan spoiled Eleanor terribly, but he was careful to balance his time between both children. He even talked to my growing belly sometimes, making sure our third child felt included before they'd even arrived.
"Buy candy! Many, many!" Jacob tugged at Nathan's pant leg, not to be outdone by his sister.
Before Nathan could respond, Elizabeth appeared in the doorway, elegant as always in her mother-of-the-groom attire.
"No—no more candy!" she said firmly. "Eleanor, Jacob—we've got to go. Come quick!" She turned her attention to us. "The two of you should hurry as well. We're all waiting!"
The children, sensing the authority in their grandmother's voice, scampered toward her. Nathan nodded at his mother.
"We'll be right there," he said, and Elizabeth ushered the children out, closing the door behind them.
Nathan turned to me, his eyes taking in my appearance slowly. "So, how are you feeling, Mrs. Sullivan?"
I couldn't help the silly grin that spread across my face. "Mrs. Sullivan. It still sounds unreal."
"You look unreal," he said, crossing the room to stand before me.
The past three years as part of the Donovan family had been some of the best of my life, but I was ready for this next chapter as Mrs. Sullivan. I'd found my place in this complicated world, and despite everything we'd been through, we'd made it.
"We should go before Riley blows up this place," Nathan said with a smile.
I thought about my friend Riley, who had taken her role as my maid of honor very seriously. Our friendship had deepened through the wedding planning, and she'd been a constant in my life since we met at Richard's memorial. She and Alex were going strong, and Alex had become a wonderful father figure to Riley's daughter. Alex and I had also repaired our friendship, even collaborating on a youth care organization together.
My other bridesmaids, Olivia and Ava, had also been part of my journey. We'd cleared up misunderstandings, and they'd stood by me through the years.
"I'm ready when you are," I said, taking a deep breath.
"Let's go," Nathan replied, offering me his arm.
---
The reception was in full swing when I found myself dancing with Joseph, the music loud and the room filled with friends and family. The Sullivan and Donovan families had made peace, and even my father Sean and my brother Tyler seemed to have found their footing in this new reality.
Nathan was somewhere else, probably getting drunk with his friends, and I held onto Joseph a little tighter.
"Don't leave my side," I said, only half-joking.
Joseph smiled down at me. "Don't worry. I won't. You're holding me hostage. I can't see how I could escape!"
I knew Joseph felt uncomfortable at such gatherings, given his family background, but he'd come anyway. His loyalty had never wavered.
Tyler approached us, looking handsome in his tuxedo. "Where's your husband?" he asked me.
"Out and about. Drunk," I replied, fatigue evident in my voice.
"Where's your wife?" Joseph countered with a smirk.
Tyler glanced across the room where Victoria was tending to their children, Hunter and Billie. His marriage to Victoria had surprised everyone, but they seemed genuinely happy together. I'd made peace with Victoria for Eleanor's sake—the Parker family was now managing her hotel brand—and we'd developed a cordial relationship.
"I should get back to her," Tyler said, looking at me with concern. "You okay, sis?"
"I'm fine," I assured him. "Just tired. Go on."
As Tyler walked away, I felt a presence behind me. Strong arms wrapped around my waist, and Nathan's familiar scent enveloped me.
"May I have this dance with my wife?" he asked, his breath warm against my ear.
Joseph relinquished me with a mock bow. "She's all yours."
Nathan led me to a quiet corner of the ballroom, away from the guests and the noise. He looked at me with such intensity that I felt my heart skip.
"I finally married you," I said, feeling suddenly shy despite our years together.
He leaned down and kissed me, a soft, tender kiss that held all the promises we'd made to each other. "We finally got married," he whispered against my lips. "I love you."
Standing there in his arms, surrounded by our family and friends, with our children safely watched over and another on the way, I knew that whatever challenges we faced, we would face them together. The journey hadn't been easy, but it had led us here—to each other, to our family, to our future.
And that made everything worth it.
The end.